Trash can assembly

ABSTRACT

A trash can assembly has a shell having an enclosing wall that defines a periphery. The assembly has a lid fitted over the top of the shell, and a foot pedal positioned adjacent the bottom of the shell, with a portion of the foot pedal positioned inside the periphery of the shell. The assembly also includes a link assembly coupling the foot pedal and the lid. The assembly can also include a liner defining a container body, the liner fitted inside the shell and having an indent provided on the container body. A handle mechanism has a link strip that has a hooked end, with the hooked end engaging the indent to lift the liner from inside the shell.

RELATED CASES

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No.09/746,574, filed Dec. 22, 2000, and entitled “Trash Can Assembly”,whose entire disclosure is incorporated by this reference as though setforth fully herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to household items, and inparticular, to a trash can assembly that incorporates a number ofimprovements and enhancements.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] A major concern for both the home and the workplace is containingand holding wastes, refuse, and trash until permanent disposal. Trashcans act as containers for holding trash and other wastes that areproduced in any typical home or office. Trash and garbage cans oftenemploy lids and covers to contain the trash and its associated odor, tohide the trash from view, and to prevent the trash from contaminatingareas beyond the lid.

[0006] Conventional trash cans have been improved over the years to makethem more user-friendly, sanitary, and hygienic. For example, many trashcans are now provided with a foot pedal positioned adjacent the base ofthe trash can so that a user can step on the foot pedal to open the lidof the trash can, thereby freeing up the user's hands to toss trash, orto change the plastic liner or bag that is used to line the trash can.Other rash cans have even provided an interior metal or plastic linerthat fits inside the trash can, and which can be removed to be washed.However, these conventional trash cans still suffer from a number ofdrawbacks.

[0007] For example, the foot pedals on some of the conventional trashcans (e.g., such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,024) are positionedawkwardly in that they extend a considerable distance from the body ofthe trash can to provide a sufficiently large surface area for theuser's foot, and also to provide sufficient leverage for the user tostep on and pivot the foot pedal. Unfortunately, suchoutwardly-extending foot pedals are prone to being inadvertently kickedby people as they walk around the vicinity of the rash can.

[0008] Other problems are associated with the internal liner. Inconventional trash cans, he user typically needs to remove the linerfrom the trash can to dispose of the contents therein. To do so, theuser typically lifts the liner from the trash can, and this may resultin the user gripping portions of the interior of the liner, so that theuser's fingers may come into contact with dirt, germs or trash items.

[0009] An additional problem relates to the fact that the wastes placedwithin such a container may produce odors, smells, and other harmfulgases. Inevitably, the lid will need to be opened to deposit the waste,thereby allowing the odors and smells to escape from the trash can.Odors and smells may also escape from the trash can even when the lid isclosed because some lids do not provide a tight seal with the trash cancontainer.

[0010] Thus, there remains a need for a trash can that overcomes thedrawbacks identified above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a trash canassembly that has an improved step pedal that is less prone to beingkicked yet enhances its ability to control the opening of the lid of thetrash can assembly.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a trashcan assembly that allows the user to conveniently remove an internalliner in a sanitary manner.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a trashcan assembly that minimizes the undesirable odor of the waste productsstored therein.

[0014] In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention,there is provided a trash can assembly that has a shell having anenclosing wall that defines a periphery. According to one embodiment,the assembly has a lid fitted over the top of the shell, and a footpedal positioned adjacent the bottom of the shell, with a portion of thefoot pedal positioned inside the periphery of the shell. The assemblyalso includes a link assembly coupling the foot pedal and the lid.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the assembly has a linerdefining a container body, the liner fitted inside the shell and havingan indent provided on the container body. In one embodiment, theassembly also includes a handle mechanism having a link strip that has ahooked end, with the hooked end engaging the indent to lift the linerfrom inside the shell. In another embodiment, the shell has an open topedge, with at least one recess provided along the top edge so that auser can lift the liner from the position from any recess.

[0016] According to yet another embodiment, the assembly has an airfreshening device secured to its lid. The air freshening device can be acharcoal pad, or an electrical ionizer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the trash can assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a liner that can be usedwith the trash can assembly of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 6A is an isolated perspective view of a link assembly thatcan be used with the trash can assembly of FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 6B illustrates the portion B of the link assembly of FIG. 6A.

[0024]FIG. 6C illustrates the hinging portion between the lid and theshell of the trash can assembly of FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 7 illustrates how the handle mechanism of the trash canassembly of FIG. 1 operatively couples the liner of FIG. 4.

[0026]FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a trash can assemblyaccording to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating amodification to the trash can assembly of FIGS. 1-8.

[0028]FIG. 10 is a front plan view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 9.

[0029]FIG. 11 is a partial side plan view of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a trash can assembly according toyet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 12shown with the inner liner being lined with a trash bag.

[0032]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 13shown with the inner liner and its trash bag fitted inside the outershell.

[0033]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 11 shown with the lid closed.

[0034]FIG. 16 is a rear plan view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The following detailed description is of the best presentlycontemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description isnot to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purposeof illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. Thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. Incertain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices andmechanisms are omitted so as to not obscure the description of thepresent invention with unnecessary detail.

[0036] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate one embodiment of a trash can assembly 20according to the present invention. The assembly 20 has an outer shell22 and an inner liner 24 that is adapted to be retained inside the outershell 22. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, the liner 24 is a container thathas an elongated indent 26 provided in the side wall 28 extendingupwardly a short distance from the bottom 30 of the liner 24.

[0037] The outer shell 22 is a generally cylindrical shell that has agenerally oval or egg shape. The liner 24 can have the same shape. Theoval or egg shape of the shell 22 is best illustrated in the top planview of FIG. 5. The width F of the opening at the front of the shell 22is greater than the width R of the opening at the rear of the shell 22.This configuration for the shell 22 and its liner 24 allows theinteriors of the shell 22 and the liner 24 to receive and accomodatewider and larger waste objects, such as pizza boxes. In addition, thenarrower rear of the shell 22 allows the shell 22 to fit more easily incorners of the house.

[0038] A lid 32 is hingedly connected to the top of the outer shell 22.The shell 22 and its lid 32 can be made of a solid and stable material,such as a metal. A handle mechanism 34 is provided along the outersurface of the shell 22 and is operatively coupled to the indent 26 ofthe liner 24 for lifting the liner 24. A toe-kick recess 36 is providedon the shell 22 adjacent the base 38 of the shell 22, and is adapted toreceive a foot pedal 40 that is pivotably secured to the base 38 of theshell 22. The toe-kick recess 36 is part of the base 38, and the shell22 would define a curved cut-out to receive the recess 36. The curvedcut-out in the shell 22 can be made by first cutting out a properlysized and configured hole in the body of the shell 22, and theninserting a plastic curved panel that defines the actual recess 36. Therecess 36 extends upwardly for a short distance and extends into theinterior confines of the shell 22. A link assembly 42 (illustrated ingreater detail in FIGS. 6A and 6B) extends from the foot pedal 40 alongthe base 38 and then upwardly along the shell 22 to the lid 32. The linkassembly 42 operates to translate an up-down pivot motion of the pedal40 to an up-down pivot motion for the lid 32. Each of these componentswill be described in greater detail hereinbelow.

[0039] Referring first to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 38 of the shell 22defines a generally annular and curved skirt or flange portion 50. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the skirt 50 is formed in oneplastic piece. The base 38 further includes a pedal housing 52 that ispositioned adjacent and below the recess 36, and is adapted to receivethe pedal 40. In particular, a shaft 54 can extend longitudinally acrossthe pedal 40 and be received inside openings provided on opposing walls56 and 58 of the pedal housing 52. As a result, the pedal 40 would pivotabout an axis defined by the shaft 54. The base 38 also has crossingsupport ribs 60 and 62 that are positioned adjacent the top of the skirt50. The support ribs 60, 62 can be provided with protruding notches 68that are adapted to hold and support a horizontal rod 64 of the linkassembly 42 for rotation therein. In addition, pads 66, which can bemade of rubber, can be positioned in spaced-apart manner about theperiphery of the skirt 50 to prevent the base 38 from slipping. Theshell 22 and its recess 36 can be attached to the top of the skirt 50 ofthe base 38 by glue, welding, screws, and similar attachment mechanisms.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the foot pedal 40 ispositioned somewhat inside the interior of the shell 22, and only aportion of the pedal 40 extends beyond the outer cylindrical peripheryor surfaces of the shell 22. This positioning is of significance to thepresent invention.

[0041] One significance is that the foot pedal 40 can extend radiallyoutwardly from the shell 22 by about the same extent as the skirt 50,and is configured so that the foot pedal 40 itself appears to form partof the skirt 50 (i.e., flush with the skirt 50) to provide a moreaesthetically pleasing appearance (see FIG. 11). This positioning makesthe foot pedal 40 less susceptible to being inadvertently kicked bypeople walking around the vicinity of the trash can assembly 20. Moreimportantly, by positioning most of the step pedal 40 inside the outerperiphery of the shell 22, a larger pedal 40 (i.e., a pedal 40 with alarger top or stepping surface area) can be provided to createadditional stepping space. This increased stepping space makes it easierfor the user to step on the pedal 40, and to maintain the step, becausethis increased stepping space helps to generate more power during thestep (for the reasons explained in the next paragraph).

[0042] Another significance is shown in FIG. 3, where the pivot point(i.e., shaft 54) of the foot pedal 40 is positioned well inside theinterior of the outer periphery of the shell 22. This is to becontrasted with conventional foot pedals, whose pivot points are usuallypositioned further outwardly, and usually outside the shell 22, such asillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,024. This inward position for thepivot point provides several benefits. First, this inward position forthe pivot point provides a smaller pivoting angle for the pedal 40. Thesmaller pivoting angle means that the user's foot does not need to pivotas much to effectively step on the pedal 40, so that the user's foot isless likely to slip when stepping on the pedal 40. Second, this inwardposition for the pivot point requires less stepping force to open thelid 32 (i.e., deploy the link assembly 42) than if the pivot point werepositioned further radially outwardly. This is because providing thepivot point further inside the outer periphery of the shell 22 allowsthe pedal 40 to be provided in a larger size, as discussed in theprevious paragraph. Having a larger size allows the distance from thepivot point to the outer edge of the pedal 40 to be increased, and thisincreased distance means that more power can be generated using lessforce.

[0043] Yet another significance is that since the foot pedal 40 isconstructed as part of the base 38, the pedal 40 can be positionedcloser to the ground (i.e., vertically lower). As a result, the user'sfoot does not need to pivot as much to effectively step on the pedal 40,so that the user's foot is less likely to slip when stepping on thepedal 40.

[0044]FIGS. 3, 6A and 6C illustrate how the lid 32 is hingedly coupledto the shell 22. A hinge housing 70 is provided adjacent the top of theshell 22. A carrying handle 130 can be provided on the outer surface ofthe hinge housing 70. A hinge bracket 72 is attached at the top of thehinge housing 70, and carries two spaced-apart L-shaped extensions 71and 73. The rear of the lid 32 has a plastic hinge piece 75 that carriestwo spaced-apart plates 77 (one of the plates adjacent extension 71 isnot visible in FIG. 6C). An opening 81 is provided in each extension 71,73 and plates 77, the openings 81 being aligned so that a pin 74 (whichcan be part of the carrying handle 130) can extend through all theopenings 81 in the extensions 71, 73 and the plates 77 to create a pivotjoint. Thus, the lid 32 is able to pivot from the opened position (seeFIG. 3) to the closed positioned (see FIG. 2) about the pivot pointdefined by the pin 74.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 6A and 6B, the link assembly 42operatively couples the foot pedal 40 to the lid 32 so that stepping onthe foot pedal 40 will cause the lid 32 to open. The link assembly 42has a horizontal rod 64 and a vertical rod 76 that cooperate totranslate an up-down pivot motion of the pedal 40 to an up-down pivotmotion for the lid 32. The rods 64 and 76 can be made of steel. Inparticular, the horizontal rod 64 is held by the ribs 60, 62 of the base38, and has an L-shaped (i.e., at 90-degrees) terminal end 78 thatextends out of the horizontal plane of the rod 64, and which ispositioned adjacent the bottom of the pedal 40. For example, theterminal end 78 does not need to be connected to pedal 40, since thepedal 40 can can sit on top of the terminal end 78 via gravity. Thehorizontal rod 64 extends across the base 38 to an opposite side of theshell 22, where an opposing end 80 of the horizontal rod 64 has anL-shaped leg 82 (i.e., at 90-degrees) that also extends out of thehorizontal plane of the rod 64, and that is secured to a generallyL-shaped (i.e., 90-degree) plastic hinge 84. The plastic hinge 84 canhave two lumens, one in each leg of the L-shape, with the leg 82 securedin one of the lumens and a lower end 86 of the vertical rod 76 securedin the other lumen. The vertical rod 76 extends vertically up along theinside of the shell 22 adjacent the inner wall of the shell 22, andextends through the hinge housing 70 and the hinge bracket 72 to anupper end 88 that is secured to a block 90 that is attached to the rearof the lid 32 and retained in the hinge piece 75. Thus, when the usersteps on the pedal 40 (see arrow A1 in FIG. 3 and arrow A1 in FIG. 6A),the pedal 40 presses on the terminal end 78, and the L-shaped andout-of-plane nature of the terminal end 78 causes the horizontal rod 64to rotate as shown by the arrow A2. Because the opposing end 80 is alsoL-shaped and extends out of the horizontal plane of the rod 64, thisrotation torques the plastic hinge 84 to push the vertical rod 76 up(see arrow A3). When the vertical rod 76 is pushed up, the vertical rod76 will in turn push the lid 32 upwardly to pivot or swing the lid 32open about the pin 74. As long as the user's foot is stepping on thepedal 40, the link assembly 42 will maintain the lid 32 in its openedposition. When the user releases the stepping force, gravity will pushthe lid 32 and vertical rod 76 down, pivoting or torquing the plastichinge 84 in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow A3, andreversing the rotation on the horizontal rod 64 to lift up the pedal 40in directions opposite to the directions of arrows Al and A2.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, the handle mechanism 34operates to lift the liner 24 from the interior of the shell 22, and canbe locked to maintain the liner 24 in the lifted position shown in FIGS.1 and 3. The shell 22 has a recessed region 100 provided about itscentral portion. The recessed region 100 has a generally square orrectangular configuration, and is adapted to receive the handle 102 andlink strip 104 of the handle mechanism 34. The handle mechanism 34 has ahandle 102 that is pivotably coupled to a link strip 104. The handle 102can be a generally flat piece of plastic or metal, and can be pivotablycoupled adjacent its lower side 103 to the shell 22 at the top of therecessed region 100 (e.g., by inserting a pin 105 through a boreadjacent the lower side 103). The link strip 104 is preferably made froma material with sufficient strength to support the liner 24, such asplastic, steel, or a composite of plastic and steel. The link strip 104has a first section 106 that is pivotably coupled (e.g., by inserting apin 108 through a bore 110 at the end of the first section 106) to amid-portion of the handle 102. The link strip 102 has a second section112 that extends perpendicularly to and inwardly from the first section106, which is then connected to an elongated third section 114 that isgenerally parallel to the first section 106. The third section 114extends through a slot 120 in the recessed region 100 to extend insidethe shell 22. The third section 114 has a hooked end 116 that is alwayspositioned inside the shell 22, and which is adapted to engage the upperwall 118 of the indent 26. FIG. 7 illustrates the liner 24, and only therecessed region 100, handle 102 and link strip 104 while omitting theother elements of the shell 22.

[0047]FIGS. 1, 3 and 7 illustrate the handle 102 in the lifted orremoval position, with the liner 24 being lifted partially out of theinterior of the shell 22. To close the handle 102 and allow the liner 24to fall back into the shell 22, the handle 102 is pivoted downwardly inthe direction of the arrow A4. The pivoting of the handle 102 occursabout the pivot axis defined by the pin 105. The pivoting of the handle102 simultaneously causes the link strip 104 to pivot about the handle102 about the pivot axis defined by the pin 108. As the link strip 104pivots, it is pushed vertically downwardly by the handle 102. As thelink strip 104 slides down, the hooked end 116 also slides down withinthe elongated indent 26. The force of gravity will cause the liner 24 toslide down the interior of the shell 22 together with the hooked end116. After the handle 102 has been pivoted by 180 degrees from theposition shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, the handle 102 will be in thestorage or lowered position and will occupy most of the recessed region100.

[0048] To lift the liner 24 from the storage position to the lifted orremoval position, the handle 102 is pivoted upwardly in the directionopposite to the direction of the arrow A4. The upwardly pivoting handle102 will actuate the pivots about the pins 105 and 108, which will causethe link strip 104 to be pulled upwardly. As the link strip 104 movesupwardly, its hooked end 116 (which is in engagement with the upper wall118 of the indent 26) will simultaneously pull the liner 24 upwardlywithin the shell 22. Once the handle 102 is pivoted upwardly to about120 degrees (i.e., also referred to as an “over-center” position) fromits vertical storage position, the handle 102 will reach a lockedposition so that the handle 102 will be automatically biased to thevertical lifted or removal position shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7. When thehandle 102 reaches this lifted or removal position, the liner 24 will belifted to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 (i.e., a portion of theliner 24 being lifted out of the shell 22), and will be maintained inthis position by the locked handle 102 until the handle 102 is pivoteddownwardly again in the direction of the arrow A4.

[0049] The present invention also provides apparatus to combat the foulodor of the waste products stored inside the trash can assembly 20.FIGS. 3 and 8 illustrate one embodiment, where a charcoal pad 140 can besecured to the inner surface 142 of the lid 32 by a removable attachmentmechanism 132, which can be a nipple connector, opposing VELCRO™ pads, ahook, a fastener, glue, a screw-in connection, or the like. The charcoalpad 140 can be any conventional charcoal pad, which is activated carbonthat functions to absorb odor. The air flow (see arrows in FIG. 3 thatare directed towards charcoal pad 140) enhances the absorption of odorby forcing air through the charcoal, causing the charcoal to absorb theodor carried by the air.

[0050]FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment, where an ionizer box150 can be secured to the inner surface 142 of the lid 32 by any of theattachment mechanisms 132 described above. Alternatively, the ionizerbox 150 can be formed as part of the lid 32, and provided with anopening through which electric ions can be introduced and removed. Apower cord 152 couples the ionizer box 150 and extends from the ionizerbox 150 into the interior of the hinge housing 70 and coupled to a powersource 154, which can be a battery pack. The power source 154 can besecured to the shell 22. By locating the power source 154 in the hingehousing 70, the present invention avoids adding unnecessary weight tothe lid 32, making it easier for the user to open the lid 32, and tokeep the lid 32 opened. The ionizer functions by forcing O₂ (oxygen)into O₃ (via electric charge), with the third oxygen molecule splittingoff with the pollutant, leaving behind fresh O₂ (oxygen). The ionizercan be turned on at all times, or a sensor (not shown) can beincorporated to sense the opening and closing of the lid 32 (i.e., sensemovement). As a result, the sensor will sense movement of the lid 32 andthen function to turn on the ionizer for a specified time (e.g., fifteenminutes).

[0051] FIGS. 12-15 illustrate modifications that can be made to thetrash can assembly 20 of FIGS. 1-8 and 11. The trash can assembly 20 ain FIGS. 12-15 has the same construction as the trash can assembly 20 inFIGS. 1-8 and 11, except for the changes noted below. Therefore, thesame numeral designations are used for both the trash can assemblies 20and 20 a to designate identical elements, except that an “a” is added tothe designations in FIGS. 12-15.

[0052] The trash can assembly 20 a differs from the trash can assembly20 in that the handle mechanism 34 and its accompanying components havebeen replaced by a different mechanism. In the trash can assembly 20 ofFIGS. 1-8 and 11, the handle mechanism 34 functions to lift the liner 24from the interior of the shell 22 in a sanitary manner. However, thetrash can assembly 20 a in FIGS. 12-15 provides a different mechanismfor accomplishing the same function. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12and 13, an annular support frame 200 is attached to the top edge 202 ofthe shell 22 a in a manner such that the frame 200 is slightly offsetfrom the outer surface of the shell 22 a to define a shoulder 204 alongthe top edge 202. The annular frame 200 has a height that is slightlyless than the height of the lid 32 a, and the annular side wall of thelid 32 a rests on the shoulder 204 so that the frame 200 is positionedinterior to and adjacent to the annular side wall of the lid 32 a. Oneor more recesses 206 are provided in spaced-apart manner around theframe 200.

[0053] As best shown in FIG. 13, the liner 24 a (which can be identicalto the liner 24) is fitted inside the shell 22 a, and a conventionaltrash bag 208 can be placed inside the liner 24 a and the top edges ofthe trash bag 208 everted over the top edge of the liner 24 a. When theliner 24 a and its trash bag 208 are fully seated inside the shell 22 a(see FIG. 14), the top edge of the trash bag 208 will be exposed at theregions of the recesses 206. Therefore, when the user wishes to removethe liner 24 a, the user merely grips the top edge of the liner 24 a andits trash bag 208 at the location of any recess 206, and then manuallylifts the liner 24 a. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, hen the lid 32 ais closed, no part of the trash bag 208 will be exposed outside theconfines of the shell 22 a and the lid 32 a because the liner 24 a andits trash bag 208 are completely retained inside the interior of theshell 22 a and the annular frame 200.

[0054]FIG. 16 is a rear plan view of the trash can assembly 20 aillustrating another modification. Here, the hinge housing 70 in thetrash can assembly 20 is modified so that the handle 130 is now replacedby a handle grip 220 that is integral (i.e., part of the same piece)with the hinge housing 70 a. The hinge housing 70 a can be made in onepiece, and the handle grip 220 can be a groove cut from the outersurface of the hinge housing 70 a so that the user can insert his or herfingers into the groove to grip the hinge housing 70 a, and hence carrythe trash can assembly 20 a in this manner. By providing a handle grip220 that is integral with the hinge housing 70 a, the separate andspace-occupying handle 130 can be omitted to reduce the cost of thetrash can assembly 20 a and to minimize the storage and packing spaceneeded for the trash can assembly 20 a.

[0055] Thus, the trash can assembly 20 of the present invention providesan improved and larger pedal 40 that is positioned and structured toprovide more effective opening of the lid 32 and more convenient use bythe user. In addition, the handle mechanism 34 and the recesses 206provide effective mechanisms for lifting the liner 24 out of the shell22.

[0056] The above detailed description is for the best presentlycontemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description isnot to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purposeof illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. Thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. Incertain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices,components, mechanisms and methods are omitted so as to not obscure thedescription of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trash can assembly, comprising: a shell havingan open top edge, with at least one recess provided along the top edge.2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the open top edge has a frameextending from the top edge, with the at least one recess provided alongthe frame.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, further including a lid fittedover the top edge and surrounding the frame.
 4. The assembly of claim 3,wherein the shell has an outer surface, and wherein the frame isslightly offset from the outer surface of the shell to define a shoulderalong the top edge.
 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the lid has aside wall which rests on the shoulder so that the frame is positionedinterior to the side wall of the lid.
 6. The assembly of claim 1,further including a liner defining fitted inside the shell and having atop edge, with a portion of the top edge being positioned adjacent theat least one recess.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shell has abottom end and a periphery, the assembly further including: a lid fittedover the top edge; a foot pedal positioned adjacent the bottom end ofthe shell, with a portion of the foot pedal positioned inside theperiphery of the shell; and a link assembly coupling the foot pedal andthe lid.
 8. A trash can assembly, comprising: a container body having atop end; a lid fitted over the top end; and a hinge housing thatpivotably connects the lid to the top end, the hinge housing being madein one piece and having an outer surface and a gripping groove that iscut from the outer surface of the hinge housing.
 9. A trash canassembly, comprising: a shell having a top end and a bottom end, theshell having an enclosing wall that defines a periphery; a curved recesspanel that is fitted in the enclosing wall adjacent the bottom end ofthe shell, the curved recess panel made of a different material than theenclosing wall of the shell; a lid fitted over the top end; a foot pedalpartially positioned in the recess panel, with a portion of the footpedal positioned inside the periphery of the shell; and a base thatdefines a skirt surrounding the bottom end of the shell, with the footpedal being pivotally secured to the base and configured to be flushwith the skirt.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the foot pedalpivots about a pivot point, with the pivot point positioned inside theperiphery of the shell.
 11. The assembly of claim 9, further including alink assembly coupling the foot pedal and the lid.
 12. A trash canassembly, comprising: a shell having an enclosing wall that defines aperiphery; a liner defining a container body that has a side wall, theliner fitted inside the shell and having an indent provided on thecontainer body; and a handle mechanism having a link strip that has ahooked end, the hooked end engaging the indent to lift the liner frominside the shell, with a first part of the link strip extending outsidethe enclosing wall of the shell, and a second part of the link extendinginside the enclosing wall of the shell, and with the hooked end beingcoupled to the second part; and wherein a length of the link strip ispositioned adjacent and along the side wall of the container body. 13.The assembly of claim 12, wherein the handle mechanism further includesa handle piece that is pivotally coupled to the enclosing wall of theshell and the first part of the link strip.
 14. The assembly of claim12, wherein the handle piece locks the link strip in a fixed positionwhen the handle piece is pivoted pass an over-center position.
 15. Theassembly of claim 12, wherein the enclosing wall of the shell has arecessed region which receives the handle piece and the link strip. 15.The assembly of claim 12, wherein the link strip slides downwardly whenthe handle piece is pivoted downwardly.
 16. The assembly of claim 12,wherein the link strip slides upwardly when the handle piece is pivotedupwardly.
 17. A trash can assembly, comprising: a shell having a top endand a bottom end, the shell having an enclosing wall with a front and arear, and having a generally oval configuration, with a front width thatis larger than a rear width; and a lid fitted over the top end.
 18. Theassembly of claim 17, wherein the lid has a generally ovalconfiguration, with a front width that is larger than a rear width. 19.The assembly of claim 17, further including: a foot pedal positionedadjacent the bottom end; and a link assembly coupling the foot pedal andthe lid.
 20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the lid pivots about therear of the enclosing wall.